James Kriz
English 220
Prof. Nick Jones
9/19/2011
Blog Entry 2:
Felicia Hemans “The Homes of England” (858-859)
Felicia Hemans poem “The Homes of England” carries a divided tone. From a less detailed analysis of the poem, the language suggests a patriotic affirmation of the strong English household. This mention of the English household includes numerous references to the church, a powerful institution of the state. When taking Hemans history of being abandoned by the male figures in her life into account, (most notably her husband, Captain Alfred Hemans) the lack of any strong male presence in this poem suggests an undertone of pessimism in regards to the integrity of male support as a crucial piece of the English household.
“The stately Homes of England,/ How beautiful they stand!/ Amidst their tall ancestral trees,” Hemans opens her poem by framing the English household. Her mention of “tall ancestral trees” is a reference to a legacy of strong English households, perhaps a suggestion that this has been the backbone of England’s success through the recent and more distant decades. “There (the homes of England) woman’s voice flows forth in song,” Hemans mentions the voice of the female in the household, this links her gender with the success of the English household, something fundamental to the success of England. “Solemn, yet sweet, the church-bell’s chime/ Floats through their woods at morn,” The author mentions the institution of the church as an element of the strong English household. By mentioning the church, Hemans enhances the poem to that which is beyond merely gender and the household. The English household becomes a symbol for the country itself, with the church as an integral part of a powerful legacy.
The mentioning of the church dilutes the work as a visible critique of the masculine gender. Yet the author’s omission of any reference of the masculine serves to add an undertone that questions the validity of the male as an integral piece of England’s powerful legacy.
English 220
Prof. Nick Jones
9/19/2011
Blog Entry 2:
Felicia Hemans “The Homes of England” (858-859)
Felicia Hemans poem “The Homes of England” carries a divided tone. From a less detailed analysis of the poem, the language suggests a patriotic affirmation of the strong English household. This mention of the English household includes numerous references to the church, a powerful institution of the state. When taking Hemans history of being abandoned by the male figures in her life into account, (most notably her husband, Captain Alfred Hemans) the lack of any strong male presence in this poem suggests an undertone of pessimism in regards to the integrity of male support as a crucial piece of the English household.
“The stately Homes of England,/ How beautiful they stand!/ Amidst their tall ancestral trees,” Hemans opens her poem by framing the English household. Her mention of “tall ancestral trees” is a reference to a legacy of strong English households, perhaps a suggestion that this has been the backbone of England’s success through the recent and more distant decades. “There (the homes of England) woman’s voice flows forth in song,” Hemans mentions the voice of the female in the household, this links her gender with the success of the English household, something fundamental to the success of England. “Solemn, yet sweet, the church-bell’s chime/ Floats through their woods at morn,” The author mentions the institution of the church as an element of the strong English household. By mentioning the church, Hemans enhances the poem to that which is beyond merely gender and the household. The English household becomes a symbol for the country itself, with the church as an integral part of a powerful legacy.
The mentioning of the church dilutes the work as a visible critique of the masculine gender. Yet the author’s omission of any reference of the masculine serves to add an undertone that questions the validity of the male as an integral piece of England’s powerful legacy.
As in my comment on Stephanie's piece, I'd say that the use of the church is two-sided -- it certainly does support a patriarchal, male-based institution (hence conservative if not reactionary); but it also suggests a church that transcends (or subverts?) that patriarchy, one in which prayer might actually belong to mothers, daughters (see Evening Prayer...).
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